Blasphemi - 1955 Chevy Gasser

[Technics]

A few weekends ago I attended a national model competition / exhibition at which they announced next years theme. Tri - Five Chevy. 

The all business no fuss inspiration vehicle which immediately entered my mind when next year´s theme was announced was a sure thing. I know nothing about Gassers or Chevy´s but I love this car and enjoyed it´s development on Motor Trend over the years. All of roadkill’s content for that matter!

I am undertaking something I am not comfortable or proficient at doing which is removing unwanted trim from a vehicle. I have been stocking up on materials and information online. 

Edited November 5, 2024 by Technics

[Technics]

I went ahead and built the entire kit so it can stand upright with it´s body on. I will adjust the rear wheel offset accordingly and use the extra set of wheels the kit came with as it will match the reference more. The tires will need to be bored out slightly to have the wheels fit. I will most definitely fuse the hood to the fenders and cut it out as a clamshell. Bodyside trim removal will be first.

 

[Technics]

I patiently cut away with a sharp hobby blade the unwanted trim followed by filling down the remaining volume trying not to attack the surfaces they sit on. Proven difficult to do so, I feel it went ok for a first attempt. 

 

If I was to do it again to limit affecting the surrounding areas further I would try a chisel type tool which I don’t have currently or a small dremel bit which I forgot I had amongst the excitement. 
 

[W-409]

This will be interesting to follow, I like Tri-Five Chevrolets and I've also enjoyed following the development of this actual car over the years via Motor Trend.

How accurate replica you want to build? Because the real car is a 2D Sedan and the kit is a Hardtop. Sedan has a taller roof and actually whole the roofline is completely different than on a Hardtop. So, with that said, I personally might consider picking up another kit as a starting point. At least AMT has reissued a '55 2D Sedan kit not that long ago, it should be easily available.

The other thing why I might consider building it from another kit, is the amount of work this kit requires if you want to make it at least somewhat accurate. I built a '55 Chevy Gasser from the same kit a few years ago and I think I probably used a handful of parts straight from the box, everything else was either scratchbuilt, kitbashed or modified in some other way. By the time I realized the actual amount of work with this kit, it was too late to turn back so I pushed it to finish... But it would have been way easier if I started with some other kit.

Don't get me wrong, this kit builds up pretty nice even out of the box, but if you really want to make it accurate, it's a long way. I don't want to be "that guy", I just wanted to give a heads-up in case you are not that familiar with the kit. Either way you do, this will be an interesting project.

Finally, if you want to build it using this kit, here is a link to my Fotki album where you can see all of the project pictures on my '55 Gasser that I built from the same kit. They might help. https://public.fotki.com/NostalgicDrag/55-chevy-bel-air-ags/

 

[Technics]

@W-409 

Very detailed and informative post, thank you for that! Like I said I am no expert, I do not know these cars or genre. The difference for me is negligible. 

 

I did notice after some time the roofline to be a bit lower but I thought it was the manufacturing quality of kit itself. The sedan looks even better agree.

 

I went with this kit as it was a gasser already. I won’t be doing a rivet counting mechanically sound replica no. A light hearted eye squint tribute based on my skills at this time. 

 

If I can remove majority of signs of the exterior trim the build will be a success already from my perspective. A stepping stone on my learning curve.

[Technics]

I went ahead acquired Mr Surfacer in Black. First time using Mr Surfacer I absolutely love it. Just as good or better then Tamiya primer, it´s a nice option of if you want a black base.

 

I have begun the process of gently wet sanding 320 - to finer. Laying down primer to see progress and adjusting where necessary. It´s not perfect by any means yet but I will keep cutting and priming until it is... or Good enough  

Edited November 6, 2024 by Technics

[Mattilacken]

Nice start on a great topic! Keep it going!

[johnyrotten]

I think this is awesome,  that car is so sweet. Looks like you got a good start going, I'll be paying attention. Make sure you have a few spare hemis laying around cause this thing eats them. 

[Technics]

I’ve been putting in the time to remove most scuff marks. I’ve been enjoying the process and it’s starting to show some promise.

I will soon fuse the hood to the fenders and begin to cut off the front clamshell. 

Undecided how much I will modulate the black colour, but scuffs, dirt, real use look will look cool if done right. 

 

[TarheelRick]

Looking really good, nothing like a '55 Chevy gasser except maybe a 40-41 Willys. One area you may want to address are the mold lines that run from the bottom of the headlight buckets through the parking lights. Keep those updates coming really love those Gassers.  SEGA rules.

[Kenmojr]

Great start on this gasser...

[Technics]

@TarheelRick You’re absolutely right about the seam lines in such a vital visual part of the model! I am in much deeper complex waters ( for me ) however I will try to address them all. Front clamshell was fused and separated from main body. Rear wheel offsets have been re worked to a bit more what I want. 

 

[Mattilacken]

Looking good! if you ned som parts printed shout out to me or Ghostman and we can hook you up ?

[Technics]

@Mattilacken he was notified before the kit was even bought ! ???parts are in queue for a while.

I am intimidated by making the firewall but I’ll try my best.

Edited November 14, 2024 by Technics

[Technics]

Having a non out of box build brings new challenges. I have unwanted gaps I will need to fill somehow. I tried making a few versions of the firewall out of paper then moved onto styrene. The latest version feels most promising. I drew a section of the Chevy and cut it out of polystyrene about two dozen times. I fused the sections together to form a block and began sculpting it. It sits snug within the shell and will continue to work it to get it more realistic / detailed / functional. I’m out of my comfort zone but it’s exciting. 
 

It won’t be identical of course.

 

 

[NYLIBUD]

That’s some nice looking scratch built firewall.The car looks great so far.Maybe I missed it in the reading,but where are you going to get his decals from?

[Technics]

@NYLIBUD Thank you! Even though it’s rather basic I am pleased where it’s headed. I envy scratch building skills so this is a big step forward for me.

I will draw the decals myself in adobe illustrator / photoshop and outsource them to a print shop. I have not made 1:24/5 decals before but several projects in rc 1:10 scale. Have a look in the link below, most have a decal of sorts I have made.

1:10 projects

I am mainly after the one over the rear fender and the front windscreen header but maybe I’ll make all the sponsors, I’ll see how the motivation is and what I have in my saved decal pile.

[Technics]

A puzzle piece arrived that I needed to have in front of me to get motivated enough to plow through the basic as it is “scratchbuilding” I’m attempting. 
 

Tasty tray of parts these! A fellow local modeller turned 3d guru made my reference images a reality. I look forward to having this sit between the frame rails. The part resolution is remarkable. I hope to do the parts justice.

Edited December 14, 2024 by Technics

[Zippi]

Great start on the Blasphemi 55 Chevy Gasser.  I'll be watching this one MM.  

[Technics]

Main engine assembled, few tricky bits. Isn’t perfect but it should look great as a whole.

 

Chiseled away at the firewall whenever I had the inspiration, nothing pretty but most won’t be seen or drawn attention to hopefully.

 

Mocked up the motor to chassis to body. Took a bit of trimming, and working the chassis to get the motor to sit at the angle I wanted. Looks absolutely mental 😃 !
 

I will work to have the motor sit further forward but I’m starting to see promise. I will be able to pull this off. A huge undertaking as this is the second kit I’ve  ever cut outside of the instructions ( Stratos the first ) . It was about time I dared to  Again, not perfect but a inspired build.

 

I also got these wheels as I love the look of them. Well see if they’ll work on this project or not.

[Rescued customs]

Nice …. So a blasphemi inspiration build? I’m still workin on mine I want it to be a contest car so ima knock a few off the bench first before I go full ham on it … good work bud 

[Rescued customs]

Also where did ya get your three d parts from they look killer ? 

[OldNYJim]

This is looking great - Finnegan would be proud!

[Codi]

MM, nicely executed so far.  The body work you've done is spot on and with the mock-up you've shared it's sure to be a great build. Good luck, tim

[Technics]

Thanks everyone !

@Rescued customs it’s a fella here in Sweden you can find him on Facebook if you search Ghostman 3D parts. He’s easy to reach and chat with.